Going to Col. in a couple of weeks. Excited and scared!

michaelz says on Mar 1, 2005, 05:49:

bogota There are many at this site whose opinions differ, but I have visted Colombia a lot and Bogota is my least favorite city. The weather, the people and the atmosphere are all better in other cities. Bogota tends to be more expensive and more impersonal than other colombian cities.

You should try Cali and Cartegena rather than spending a lot of time in Bogota.

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Mateo-FL says on Mar 1, 2005, 20:52:

1st Visit I went to Colombia for the first time last month. I stayed in Bogota,Arbarellas, and Fusa. Bogota was ok, but I enjoyed my time in Arbarellas much better. My advice to you is to relax and have a good time.If you know people down there, I would stay with them and just don't go to bad areas. I am 6'5'' with blonde hair, tattoos, and piercings so everyone that saw me knew I was from America. The media in America portrays Colombia to be so dangerous, but I felt safe the whole time. I am going back to Medillin in April to visit my girlfriend and her family.Colombia is very beautiful, Im sure you will have a good time........

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kernow62 says on Mar 1, 2005, 21:05:

VanMan, simply read back on the forum, you will be able to find out a lot about all the various cities and towns. There is something for everyone in Colombia, if you like hot and sweaty weather head to Cartagena, if you like cooler weather head toward the stars in Bogotá.

If you don't have a preference either way, choose based on something that is of interest to you.

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ColombiaBoard says on Mar 2, 2005, 19:24:

Question.... I´m curious...where´s that place...ARBARELLAS???????? never heard of it...

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eddy says on Mar 2, 2005, 21:20:

yo, dont worry about it!! if u go to colombia just go as an open minded person just like any were in the world. People over say stuff! because they see something in the movies they right away assume that is right.
I've been everywere with my job and colombia takes the cake of all places to be in. But i was there durin the holidays i dont know now.


if u like shoppin medellin is the place i liked the most.

yo, i've been around, but colombia is a country of mystique and something that i can't explain. Brazil is over rated. sao and rio are good but is been juiced out!

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VanMan says on Mar 6, 2005, 01:19:

previous forum posts kernow, I have read a lot of posts on Medellin and I wanted any additional anecdotes of anyone who hasn't posted their trip experiences (first time visitors). I am very open-minded and I feel safe because my I will be staying with my friends and them or their family members will take me around town (they all live in stratas 5 or 6, not that makes a big difference/deal) and I doubt they will take me to any "bad" places (strata 1, guerilla areas, etc). I don't plan to goto "a brothel and boast about my wealth" (which I have none of haha) like that italian journalist did (though he didn't deserved to get killed), which made him more prone to crime.

I will be staying mostly in Medellin with about a week of my time spent in Bogota. I'm looking forward to the food (prices seem very economical). When I said i'm "scared", yes I do mean i'm scared because of the high crime that is there (even in the higher stratas, crime follows money as another friend from Bogota who is in Canada likes to say...), but also of the fact I can't really speak Spanish, except babbling out a few words here and there "a que hora?" haha.

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dwmte says on Mar 6, 2005, 04:52:

van man when you're in medellin there's a cool/funky chinese restaurant in laureles (on san juan/cr 70.

you mentioned in a pm that you were of asian extraction from canada..the owner of this restaurant is a very plump chinese fellow who's always sitting around visiting with his colombian buddys. it's so interesting to see him speak chinese with the ladies in the kitchen, then break into spanish with is buddys. he's a good natured chap. i've eaten there many times when 'stuck' in laureles.

have fun.

d

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VanMan says on Mar 6, 2005, 22:14:

chinese rest Hey Dwmte,

Thanks for the tip, I will tell my friend to take me there if it is possible. I am extremely excited to go, especially to Medellin. I love modern cities (i'm a Yuppie who likes big cities, what can I say...).

The weather in Canada (in my city) has been freeeeeezing this winter and i'm all ready for some warm winds (People weren't meant to live in this climate).

Does anyone know what the asian/chinese/japanese population is like in Bogota/Medellin (none,10 people,100 people)?

VanMan

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N2Aquatix says on Mar 11, 2005, 06:35:

You should be fine Stick to the well travelled areas and keep your money in your front pocket. Walk like you have a purpose. Leave your valuables locked-up and hidden in your hotel room (jewelry, Passport, ect.). You should be fine. I had no problems while I was there. In fact, I enjoyed it quite a bit and I'm looking forward to going back. ;-)

Jay

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VanMan says on Mar 14, 2005, 15:36:

hotel rooms Fortunately, I have long-term friends in Bogota and Medellin and I will be staying with them. I am so excited. I will be travelling with people most of the time and I might go out on my own once or twice, but I doubt my friend's families will allow me to do that.

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